It is easy, natural, profitable to obey some commands. Disobedience will bring disease, or shame, or loss of reputation, and, fearing such penalties, some refrain from transgression. But there are other laws of God, obedience to which brings dishonour rather than glory, impoverishment and not advantage; and these also are to be obeyed if we would " walk before God in truth, with all our heart." Again there are some precepts which seem of trifling value, and we are tempted to say we need not be too precise. But we forget that God's laws, even the least of them, are terribly precise. Science is proving this in every department of nature. The tide, for example, will not stop short a foot in space, nor a moment in time, to save the life of the helpless man penned in between the rocks. And are moral laws less inexorable? Besides, the crucial test of obedience is found in relation to little things. If your child obeys your important command, because he sees its import- ance, you are glad ; but you are much more pleased when he does something you told him to do, merely because you wished it, for this is a higher proof of genuine obedience than that. • II. THE NECESSITY OF PERSONAL RESOLUTION. "Be thou strong, therefore, ancl show thyself a man." This sounds like an echo of God's own words to Joshua (i. 7). The occasions too were similar. Joshua was entering on his leadership, and Solomon was on the steps of his throne. David would evoke the manly resolution of his son. There was the more necessity for this, because his honoured and heroic father could no longer sta.nd beside him. One of God's reasons for taking away our parents by death is to develope and strengthen our cha.ro.cter. When the saplings grow under the shelter of the parent tree, they are weakly; but when the giant of the forest falls, and the winds of heaven begin to buffet those which have had its protection, their strength becomes greater, and their roots strike. deeper. " Show thyself a man," says David to Solomon. Some suppose they show their manhood by aping the airs of the elders (smoking, swearing, &c.) But in David's sense, to show yourself a man is to prove yourself wise, valorous, virtuous, and above all, loyal of heart to God. This exhortation then implies the manifestation of moral courage and strength. These are required in order to the obedience we have described, for such obedience implies struggle. 1. There is conflict with self. We have to check the uprising of passion, to fight against the pride which would make us refUJle to submit to the revelation, and to the righteousness of God, &c. 2. There is resistance to the evil influences of others. When Solomon was misled by his wives, and began to worship their gods, he was forgetting the command, " Be strong and show thyself a man." Point out the necessity for mol'al courage, and for the renewal of strength, by waiting on God, to those surrounded by evil associates. 8. There is antagonism to popular customs. In school, in business, in national policy, in church routine, H is easier to float with the stream than to contend against it. He must needs "be strong, and show himself a man," who would say, "We must obey God rather than man I " Show where Solomon founcl this strnngth, and where he lost it. Give examples of both from sacred history. E.g., the disciples were cowards when Christ was away, but they became heroes when the promise was fulfilled at Pentecost: "They were endued with power from on high.'' III. THE ASSURANCE OF RESULTING BLESSEDNESS, "That thou mayest prosper," &o. As an historical fact, this promise was fulfilled. The kingdom of Solomon prospered as long as he was faithful to the God of his father. His apostasy sowed the seeds of its decay. God's promises a.re contingent, not absolute. They have attached to them implied conditions. This, which was shown in material blessings under the covenant of the old economy, is abidingly true. It is not that man merits the blessings of God by his obedience, but that he unfits himself to receive thelll: by disobedience. This is yet more clearly seen under the light of the new dispensation. God gives a man that which he is fit for, on ea.rtl,i and in heaven. In and through Jesus Christ He has broadened our views of recompense. Beyond death the fulfilment of this promise extends, and he who is faithfnl with the few things shall be at last a ruler over many. In a spirit of humble obedience o.nd prayerful dependence, let us seek to keep the charge and win the blessedness revealed in these dying words of the sweet Singer of Israel.-A. R. 36 THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. [ OH, ll, 12-20.
ADONIJAH'S INTRIGUE EXPOSITION.